An excerpt from Raiders coach Dennis Allen at the NFL meetings on Sirius XM NFL radio discussing his former employer, the Saints, and their penalties for bounties, and the potential of his Oakland defense:

Despite all the lore of the Raiders being a dirty team, Al wouldn't have paid bounties for taking out players. He expected you to take out players as part of your regular salary. Take out some big players and your next contract might be bigger, but there wouldn't be a specific bonus tied to taking someone out. Al was too smart re: the rules, and too much of a bad ass to expect his players to anything less than hit people as hard as they could.

So in that sense the fact that the Saints had to pay people extra to get them to hit Favre or Warner harder is kind of sad. Weren't their players already motivated enough?

How do you think that the media would have spun it if the Raiders did do it? Can you imagine the on slot of CRAP that would flow from "THE DIRTIEST TEAM IN SPORTS" OR How about this one "THE GREATNESS IS IN THERE BOUNTY HUNTING"...... Now the Saints fly under the radar with some small fines and a slap on the wrist...... Priceless.....You know that the NFL will try to glaze over this one....... Classic NFL....

Well Dennis Allen could be in trouble because he was there during the time that bountys were being put up and could get in trouble, but it is very unlikely.

Despite all the lore of the Raiders being a dirty team, Al wouldn't have paid bounties for taking out players. He expected you to take out players as part of your regular salary. Take out some big players and your next contract might be bigger, but there wouldn't be a specific bonus tied to taking someone out. Al was too smart re: the rules, and too much of a bad ass to expect his players to anything less than hit people as hard as they could.

So in that sense the fact that the Saints had to pay people extra to get them to hit Favre or Warner harder is kind of sad. Weren't their players already motivated enough?

How do you think that the media would have spun it if the Raiders did do it? Can you imagine the onslaught of CRAP that would flow from "THE DIRTIEST TEAM IN SPORTS" OR How about this one "THE GREATNESS IS IN THERE BOUNTY HUNTING"...... Now the Saints fly under the radar with some small fines and a slap on the wrist...... Priceless.....You know that the NFL will try to glaze over this one....... Classic NFL....

Despite all the lore of the Raiders being a dirty team, Al wouldn't have paid bounties for taking out players. He expected you to take out players as part of your regular salary. Take out some big players and your next contract might be bigger, but there wouldn't be a specific bonus tied to taking someone out. Al was too smart re: the rules, and too much of a bad ass to expect his players to anything less than hit people as hard as they could.

So in that sense the fact that the Saints had to pay people extra to get them to hit Favre or Warner harder is kind of sad. Weren't their players already motivated enough?

"If the one year turn around of Denver’s defense is any indication, the hiring of Allen could do wonders for the Raiders defense. In one year, Allen successfully converted Denver back to a base 4-3 defense. Despite the lockout shortened offseason, the Broncos defense improved from 32nd to 20th in total yards, 25th to 18th in passing yards, 31st to 22nd in rushing yards, and 32nd to 24th in scoring defense. Of course these numbers do not reflect an elite NFL defense, but let’s look at what else they had to overcome. Despite being the 6th ranked 3rd down defense in the NFL, with opponents only converting 34% of 3rd down opportunities, the Broncos defense was on the field for an average of 32:04 per game. That number makes for the 5th highest average in the NFL. Getting a chance to rest on the sideline is imperative in a defense’s success. The vast improvement of the Broncos’ defense in one season despite those stats, is impressive. Throw in the fact that the Denver offense had the most lost fumbles in the NFL (17), and the and 3rd lowest 3rd down conversion rate (31%), it is clear that Dennis Allen’s defense consistently found themselves with their backs against the wall. Despite all of that, they carried their team to an AFC West Title, and a trip to the playoffs."

Best news I have heard yet........the offense was not broken last year except maybe due to injury........the D is what lost us games.............anyway.......... I think the choices all suck so far except for Saunders..............maybe the WR coach is ok too...............All the coaches in the world to choose from and we get a bunch of NFL VIRGINS!

"...Knapp's West Coast offense sensibilities meshed a tad with Saunders' vertical-game acumen and knowledge of the roster?

It makes sense. A lot of sense, especially when you throw in the continuity factor.

Because remember, it was Saunders who actually devised each and every gameplan last season. Hue Jackson then used it like a menu, picking and choosing from it the actual plays to call on gameday. Plus, Saunders was the de facto quarterback coach. So he knows firsthand how much Carson Palmer could absorb in being flipped, so to speak, from a Darryl Lamonica mad bomber-type into a Rich Gannon accurate dink and dunker-type, and just where Terrelle Pryor is on the developmental scale.

Consider: Oakland was ninth in the NFL in total offense (379.5 yards per game), seventh in rushing offense (131.9), 11th in passing (247.6) and was tied for fifth in completions of 40 or more yards (14) and tied for seventh in rushing TDs (16).

Imagine what Saunders can do with an entire offseason "advising" Knapp and reported new QB coach John DeFilippo and new receivers coach Ted Gilmore on how to best use so many weapons...so many healthy weapons."

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT PEOPLE.........SMARTEST MOVE SO FAR THIS OFF SEASON......... THIS IS WHAT WE NEEDED IN THE FIRST PLACE......PERHAPS THE KNAPP HIRE HAS BEEN A MISTAKE........WHO KNOWS, BUT THIS WILL BRING SOME stable WINDS IN THE OFFENSE.......I'M RELIEVED. THIS MOVE IS HUGE FOR THIS TEAM.........CANnOT BE UNDERSTATED.......I AM STOKED ABOUT THIS MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still pissed that Knapp is our OC. i believe in people getting 2nd chances and Knapp is a run heavy OC.

What im really most pissed off about on Offense is the talk of us transitioning to the WCO. Granted the WCO worked out well for us once previously (Gruden era) I dont know how good its goinf to be this time around. We wont have the MVP QB (Gannon) throwing to the 2 greatest WR's in the history of the game (RICE & BROWN)... I understand its a dink and dunk offense. But Al Davis philosphy has always been the vertical game. McKenzie/Allen are spitting on Al Davis grave for even contemplating this idea.

Plus there is no greater specticle as a fan then watching a QB take his shots down field. get ready my friends for Carson Palmer to look like Alex Smith.. If we completely ignore the vertical game then I'm turning up Alamaeda with a ski mask & meat cleaver.

Still pissed that Knapp is our OC. i believe in people getting 2nd chances and Knapp is a run heavy OC.

What im really most pissed off about on Offense is the talk of us transitioning to the WCO. Granted the WCO worked out well for us once previously (Gruden era) I dont know how good its goinf to be this time around. We wont have the MVP QB (Gannon) throwing to the 2 greatest WR's in the history of the game (RICE & BROWN)... I understand its a dink and dunk offense. But Al Davis philosphy has always been the vertical game. McKenzie/Allen are spitting on Al Davis grave for even contemplating this idea.

Plus there is no greater specticle as a fan then watching a QB take his shots down field. get ready my friends for Carson Palmer to look like Alex Smith.. If we completely ignore the vertical game then I'm turning up Alamaeda with a ski mask & meat cleaver.

Is there no-one here who thinks that a ground up rebuild with a group that can grow together has the potential to put this team back on top for a long time?

We've spent the last 9 years working to the Al Davis single season championship plan and for 9 years we have failed miserably. All the comments I'm reading look like everyone is expecting the new guy to come in and win us a superbowl this year !!!? Did you all really think that was likely?

I wouldn't put your hopes on the play-offs this year or even next, but I would expect to see disciplin and consistency over the next couple of years. Building a team that that not only wins one championship and then fades away but becomes dominant.

I know we have all waited 9 years for change and we are all desperate to get back to winning but be patient and give these guys a chance.

For God's sake, let the man work and at least see what he has to offer before you start tearing him a new one!

I'm with you Essex Raider. I'm tired of waiting to get back to the playoffs like everyone else, but I think a reorganization was in order, and like you...... I like the young, new staff that could be here together for a long time. Obviously if they aren't successful and we end up with a whole new regime in a couple of years......well......I don't even want to THINK of that possibility. But for right now, I'm going to be optimistic and enjoy what could be a new "golden age" for the Raiders. (Please!)

I agree with you both 100% We've all (well most of us) been yelling for a complete house cleaning for years....well here it is! And way the fuck overdue for this Raider fan!

I'm excited and ready for them to rebuild our franchise the right way

Count me in as well.

I am COMPLETELY on board with the new staff. We have been trying to do it the "other way" for years and haven't done squat.

And for the nay-sayers, if you survived JaFatass you can survive this

I am looking forward to a young, energetic, fiery young coaching staff with the will to win.

GO RAIDERS

WELL.........THERE ALREADY STARTING TO SAY WE WILL "NOT" HAVE A GOOD SEASON NEXT SEASON DUE TO THE NEW STAFF........I UNDERSTAND THIS BUT I AM SO FREEKIN TIRED OF LOSING SEASONS WITH EXCUSES.....WE HAVE NO CHOISE BUT MAN ITS AS CLEAR AS DAY THAT WE ARE "REBULDING" AND AFTER THE LAST 10 YEARS IM SICK OF IT! I GUESS WE JUST HAVE TO SEE.........SO FAR THE TEAM IS "MUM" ON THERE VIEW OF THE CHANGES.... THIS MEANS THEY ARE NOT HAPPY.......TRUST ME, CONSISTANCY IS KEY TO WINNING AND WE JUST KEEP STARTING OVER......WE COULD HAVE KEPT SOME OF IT BY NOT HIRING GREG "TAKE A DIRT KNAPP" THAT I AM "SURE" WILL HURT OUR TEAM......HE SUCKS DIRTY BALLS.......OUR OFFENSE WILL SUFFER.....IT SURE IS GOING TO BE HARD TO WRITE THE CHECK FOR SEATS THIS SEASON......WHEN LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING OUR TEAM......NOT SO THIS SEASON....MY WIFE REFUSES TO GO THIS SEASON.....LOOKS LIKE A SINGLE TICKET SEASON FOR ME.......

I completely understand your doubts with our staffing choices but saying that you won't be looking forward to this year's team??

It is and always will be the Silver & Black!

C'MON RAIDER GREG!!!!!!!!!

Logged

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. - George Orwell

Is there no-one here who thinks that a ground up rebuild with a group that can grow together has the potential to put this team back on top for a long time?

We've spent the last 9 years working to the Al Davis single season championship plan and for 9 years we have failed miserably. All the comments I'm reading look like everyone is expecting the new guy to come in and win us a superbowl this year !!!? Did you all really think that was likely?

I wouldn't put your hopes on the play-offs this year or even next, but I would expect to see disciplin and consistency over the next couple of years. Building a team that that not only wins one championship and then fades away but becomes dominant.

I know we have all waited 9 years for change and we are all desperate to get back to winning but be patient and give these guys a chance.

For God's sake, let the man work and at least see what he has to offer before you start tearing him a new one!

I'm with you Essex Raider. I'm tired of waiting to get back to the playoffs like everyone else, but I think a reorganization was in order, and like you...... I like the young, new staff that could be here together for a long time. Obviously if they aren't successful and we end up with a whole new regime in a couple of years......well......I don't even want to THINK of that possibility. But for right now, I'm going to be optimistic and enjoy what could be a new "golden age" for the Raiders. (Please!)

I agree with you both 100% We've all (well most of us) been yelling for a complete house cleaning for years....well here it is! And way the fuck overdue for this Raider fan!

I'm excited and ready for them to rebuild our franchise the right way

Count me in as well.

I am COMPLETELY on board with the new staff. We have been trying to do it the "other way" for years and haven't done squat.

And for the nay-sayers, if you survived JaFatass you can survive this

I am looking forward to a young, energetic, fiery young coaching staff with the will to win.

GO RAIDERS

WELL.........THERE ALREADY STARTING TO SAY WE WILL "NOT" HAVE A GOOD SEASON NEXT SEASON DUE TO THE NEW STAFF........I UNDERSTAND THIS BUT I AM SO FREEKIN TIRED OF LOSING SEASONS WITH EXCUSES.....WE HAVE NO CHOISE BUT MAN ITS AS CLEAR AS DAY THAT WE ARE "REBULDING" AND AFTER THE LAST 10 YEARS IM SICK OF IT! I GUESS WE JUST HAVE TO SEE.........SO FAR THE TEAM IS "MUM" ON THERE VIEW OF THE CHANGES.... THIS MEANS THEY ARE NOT HAPPY.......TRUST ME, CONSISTANCY IS KEY TO WINNING AND WE JUST KEEP STARTING OVER......WE COULD HAVE KEPT SOME OF IT BY NOT HIRING GREG "TAKE A DIRT KNAPP" THAT I AM "SURE" WILL HURT OUR TEAM......HE SUCKS DIRTY BALLS.......OUR OFFENSE WILL SUFFER.....IT SURE IS GOING TO BE HARD TO WRITE THE CHECK FOR SEATS THIS SEASON......WHEN LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING OUR TEAM......NOT SO THIS SEASON....MY WIFE REFUSES TO GO THIS SEASON.....LOOKS LIKE A SINGLE TICKET SEASON FOR ME.......

Is there no-one here who thinks that a ground up rebuild with a group that can grow together has the potential to put this team back on top for a long time?

We've spent the last 9 years working to the Al Davis single season championship plan and for 9 years we have failed miserably. All the comments I'm reading look like everyone is expecting the new guy to come in and win us a superbowl this year !!!? Did you all really think that was likely?

I wouldn't put your hopes on the play-offs this year or even next, but I would expect to see disciplin and consistency over the next couple of years. Building a team that that not only wins one championship and then fades away but becomes dominant.

I know we have all waited 9 years for change and we are all desperate to get back to winning but be patient and give these guys a chance.

For God's sake, let the man work and at least see what he has to offer before you start tearing him a new one!

I'm with you Essex Raider. I'm tired of waiting to get back to the playoffs like everyone else, but I think a reorganization was in order, and like you...... I like the young, new staff that could be here together for a long time. Obviously if they aren't successful and we end up with a whole new regime in a couple of years......well......I don't even want to THINK of that possibility. But for right now, I'm going to be optimistic and enjoy what could be a new "golden age" for the Raiders. (Please!)

I agree with you both 100% We've all (well most of us) been yelling for a complete house cleaning for years....well here it is! And way the fuck overdue for this Raider fan!

I'm excited and ready for them to rebuild our franchise the right way

Count me in as well.

I am COMPLETELY on board with the new staff. We have been trying to do it the "other way" for years and haven't done squat.

And for the nay-sayers, if you survived JaFatass you can survive this

I am looking forward to a young, energetic, fiery young coaching staff with the will to win.

GO RAIDERS

Logged

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. - George Orwell

Is there no-one here who thinks that a ground up rebuild with a group that can grow together has the potential to put this team back on top for a long time?

We've spent the last 9 years working to the Al Davis single season championship plan and for 9 years we have failed miserably. All the comments I'm reading look like everyone is expecting the new guy to come in and win us a superbowl this year !!!? Did you all really think that was likely?

I wouldn't put your hopes on the play-offs this year or even next, but I would expect to see disciplin and consistency over the next couple of years. Building a team that that not only wins one championship and then fades away but becomes dominant.

I know we have all waited 9 years for change and we are all desperate to get back to winning but be patient and give these guys a chance.

For God's sake, let the man work and at least see what he has to offer before you start tearing him a new one!

I'm with you Essex Raider. I'm tired of waiting to get back to the playoffs like everyone else, but I think a reorganization was in order, and like you...... I like the young, new staff that could be here together for a long time. Obviously if they aren't successful and we end up with a whole new regime in a couple of years......well......I don't even want to THINK of that possibility. But for right now, I'm going to be optimistic and enjoy what could be a new "golden age" for the Raiders. (Please!)

I agree with you both 100% We've all (well most of us) been yelling for a complete house cleaning for years....well here it is! And way the fuck overdue for this Raider fan!

With Ted Gilmore...He's gonna make D.H.B into a pro-bowler ...and with our new D.C. Tarver, you cant say that he is brainless like Bresnahan ...Tarver sounds like a mad scientist looking to rule the world of the NFL...so far our defense is looking & sounding to be good...CANT WAIT!...

Logged

Heaven doesn't want me..... and Hell is afraid I might take over. " RAIDER FOR LIFE!"